Tanur boat mishap: Boat owner Nassar remanded, locals stage protest in court premises

TANUR: The court remanded Nassar, who was arrested in connection with the boat accident in Tanur in Malappuram. He is the owner of the boat that met with the accident that took the lives of 22 people, including women and children. He has been shifted to Tirur Sub Jail. The police will submit a custody application tomorrow to release Nassar for questioning. At the same time, the locals protested before the court after hearing that the accused was being produced.

The accused, who went absconding after the accident, was arrested from Kozhikode yesterday. The police registered a case against Nassar under the non-bailable section for homicide. At the same time, it was found that the boat involved in the accident had seriously failed in its safety arrangements.

The boat is licensed by the Inland Navigation and Ports Department. But actually, a fishing boat altered at an unauthorized yard in Ponnani in violation of safety regulations was used for service. The boat was put into service even before the registration process was completed. Moreover, at the time of the accident, twice as many people were allowed to travel. 37 people were on the boat at the time of the accident.